reading

You can almost believe you’re really there!

Take long walks.

Watch the sunset.

Shoes are optional.

The beautiful four-color book of inspirational photos, Bible verses, quotations, and short writings invites you to escape the buzz of the everyday and into the tranquility that the beach offers. Each section of this book will cover a “beach rule” and encouraging thoughts on how you can incorporate that mind-set or behavior into your daily life.

Much of Jesus’ ministry happened along the seashore, where He told His followers about the peace and rest His Father offered them and modeled the best way to live. In the same way, this book transports you to a favorite beach locale and helps you apply rules for beach living to everyday life—rules to slow down, to notice the beauty in the little things, and to incorporate rest into even the most stressful times.

Full of serene images, inspiring quotations, and restful Bible verses, this book will be a natural addition to your coffee table or desk, as well as a lovely gift for that beach-loving friend.

For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord. —Habakkuk 2:14 NLT

This is an exceptional book – either to give as a gift or to buy for yourself. It is full of wonderful advice, insightful life tips, and beautiful imagery!

Reading through the book, it’s easy to imagine hearing the waves crashing outside your window… or the call of gulls as they glide over the ocean water.

I have the e-version of this book and while I highly recommend snagging the hardback edition as well, it is exceedingly handy to have a copy on my iPad. I get to take this wonderful volume everywhere with me – and there are unexpected stresses everywhere. It is a delight to have this book with me when I’m on the go!

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“An argument. A crash. In an instant, Joanna’s world is changed forever.”

They say you can’t judge a book by its cover… but can you judge a book by its tagline?

I think so!

Of course, it probably doesn’t hurt that each and every book I have read by Kathleen Fuller is AH-Mazing!

She writes believably about REAL life! She pulls the reader right into her characters’ world… into their story… even into their head.

She writes about tragic events, cautious decision and difficult circumstances – and through it all, she shows that if her characters hold tight to their faith, they can accomplish even the most impossible goals!

Even wrapped in tragedy, the hope and beauty shines through Kathleen’s latest story: An Unbroken Heart – Tweet this!

I hope you’ll give it a chance (of course I always suggest reading a series from the very beginning) – and I really hope you enjoy each story as much as I have!

An argument. A crash. In an instant, Joanna’s world is changed forever.

One minute, Joanna Schrock was arguing with her parents, and the next, her parents’ lives were claimed in a hit-and-run buggy accident.

Her body is broken, but her heart is in even deeper pain — after all, how do you cope with your parents’ deaths when your last words were spoken in anger?

After an extended stint in a physical rehabilitation center, Joanna re-enters her Amish life. But nothing is the same — not even her feelings for Andrew Beiler.

Joanna has loved Andrew since the age of twelve, and her feelings have not changed throughout the years. She is thrilled when Andrew wants to get married, but she wonders whether it’s love he’s feeling, or pity. As the couple’s wedding date approaches, Joanna isn’t overcome with the deep joy she was hoping to feel; instead, she’s wracked with anxiety and guilt.

Joanna hears God whispering to her, Be strong and courageous, but she’s afraid that courage looks a lot like walking away from her dreams and into the plan of her Heavenly Father. If Joanna takes the first step toward healing, will it cost her everything she’s ever wanted? Or could God be changing the desires of her heart?

GOD BLESS!

AND

HAPPY READING!

I received the book free from the BookLook blogger program
in exchange for an honest review.

Disclaimer: I have no control over the ads you may see below.I am sorry if any of the content is inappropriate.

Rescued from the streets of Ticswyk by esteemed inventor Lionel Cogg, she has been fitted with implants to enhance her natural feline abilities. When Lionel is kidnapped, Cali must put her skills to the test to free him.

Dark schemes are in the works—a plague of tiny clockwork spiders are wreaking havoc on the city’s inhabitants. Only Cali, with help from her trusted mouse friend Emmit, can get to the bottom of it all. With a criminal mastermind planning a major heist, Cali must race against time to unravel his plot before he escapes with the city’s greatest treasure.

GOD BLESS!

AND

HAPPY READING!

I received the book free in exchange for an honest review.

Disclaimer: I have no control over the ads you may see below.I am sorry if any of the content is inappropriate.

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An exceptional progression of the series!

Not that I’m surprised… not even a little. Every book I have read by Sarah Sundin has had several common threads – fantastic plot development, marvelous character development, and exceptional story-telling!

Anchor in the Storm is NO different. It is a wonderful second story in this series.

Sarah brings WWII to life for her readers!

I – for one – love it!

I love the intrigue! I love the friction! I love the romance!

Sarah not only gives us a look at the tension on this side of the Atlantic during WWII – she links it to a much larger mystery that has global ramifications.

WWII, Romance and Mystery – you’ll find them all in “Anchor in the Storm” by Sarah Sundin – Tweet this!

The next installment in Sarah Sundin’s Waves of Freedom series is HERE! Don’t miss it! – Tweet this!

For plucky Lillian Avery, America’s entry into World War II means a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. The challenges of her new job energize her. But society boy Ensign Archer Vandenberg’s attentions only annoy–even if he is her brother’s best friend.

During the darkest days of the war, Arch’s destroyer hunts German U-boats in vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast. Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves–and with drowsiness. Could there be a link to the large prescriptions for sedatives Lillian has filled? The two work together to answer that question, but can Arch ever earn Lillian’s trust and affection?

{MORE ABOUT SARAH SUNDIN}

Sarah Sundin is the author of eight historical novels, including “Anchor in the Storm.” Her novel “Through Waters Deep” was named to Booklist’s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years,” and her novella “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” in “Where Treetops Glisten” was a finalist for the 2015 Carol Award. A mother of three, Sarah lives in California, works on-call as a hospital pharmacist, and teaches Sunday school.

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I have never been much a fan of the Princess and the Pea fairy tale . . . NEVER.

Melanie Dickerson has changed all of that for me!

. . . because I LOVE LOVE LOVE this story!

Of course, if you’ve ever read one of my reviews of Melanie’s books, you’ll know I am flat-out IN LOVE with each and every story she writes!

Aside from her AMAZING writing talent, there is the fact that she writes fairy tale re-tellings! And since I LOVE fairy tales, what more could a girl ask for in a favorite novel!

Also, Melanie writes her books with no magic needed! God has blessed her with such ability that she is able to craft a magnificent story using all of the most important elements of the original story – and yet present the reader with a conclusion that is solved through faith, hard work, skill or pure and simple determination.

No magic required!

Each and every one of these stories is a masterful retelling of our most cherished tales of olde – and in my opinion, these are the books we should introduce to our daughters . . . not some silly tale about a witch of a fairy godmother who gives the hero/heroine whatever their hearts desire without an ounce of reason or work behind it.

But that’s just my opinion. . .

A Beautiful Pretenderis all of that and MORE!

Melanie has taken the best elements of the “Princess and the Pea” tale and woven them together with the exceptional characters she introduced in The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest – and taken us on another lively adventure where heroes are just the way you always hoped they would be and there is always more than meets the eye where our lovely heroine is concerned.

Forbidden love . . . Danger . . . Excitement . . . And an ending that no one could ever see coming . . . What more could you ask for in a medieval fairy tale re-telling!

And hey – just look at the BEAUTIFUL cover! Can you think of a more fitting cover for this book? I think not.

What happens when a margrave realizes he’s fallen in love with a servant?

The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble-born ladies from around the country to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character.

Avelina is only responsible for two things: making sure her deception goes undetected and avoiding being selected as the margrave’s bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.

Despite Avelina’s best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can’t deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worse—far deadlier—consequences. Will Avelina be able to stop the evil plot? And at what cost?

GOD BLESS!

AND

HAPPY READING!

I received the book free in exchange for an honest review.

Disclaimer: I have no control over the ads you may see below.I am sorry if any of the content is inappropriate.

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WOW!

I shouldn’t have expected to be so blown away… I mean, I’ve read other books by this author… but… just… WOW!

Kim Vogel Sawyer has a style of writing that drags you right into the story – and the case of Room For Hope, that is a good thing… and maybe a bad thing too.

You will feel Neva’s despair… mourn with her… cry with her… worry with her…

This book will sweep right into your heart and take hold – and, if you’re anything like me, you won’t mind one bit… except maybe when you’re experiencing the heart break right along with the main character.

Of course, that’s all part of the journey. That’s the point of the story. That’s the point of the writing – to put you in Neva’s shoes. You know the old saying about walking a mile in someone else’s shoes. It’s absolutely true!

I can’t honestly say I would have handled things the way Neva does. I’m not certain I would have had the strength she did. But then… I didn’t live through the depression either so I may never know if I could have done what she did.

And no! I am NOT going to spoil it for you! You’ll just have to read it for yourself!

I know I can hardly wait to get my hands on another book Kim has written!

In a desperate time, can Neva find forgiveness for a grievous wrong—and make room for hope?

Neva Shilling has a heavy load of responsibility while her husband travels to neighboring communities and sells items from his wagon. In his absence, she faithfully runs the Shilling Mercantile, working to keep their business strong as the Depression takes its toll, and caring for their twins.

When a wagon pulls up after supper, Neva and her children rush out—and into the presence of the deputy driving a wagon carrying three young children. The deputy shocks her with the news that Warren and his wife have died, insisting it was their last request that the three children go live with “Aunt Neva.”

Neva’s heart is shattered as she realizes that Warren’s month-long travels were excuses for visits with his secret family. She wants nothing more than to forget Warren, but can she abandon these innocent children to an orphanage? Yet if she takes them in, will she ever be able to see them as more than evidence of her husband’s betrayal and love them the way God does?

GOD BLESS!

AND

HAPPY READING!

I was blessed to receive a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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If you loved The Trouble With Patience by Maggie Brendan do not miss A Sweet Misfortune – book 2 in this exceptional series.

Yes, the cover is another winner! The wistfulness on the heroine’s face will draw you in and have you picking up the book.

From there, you’ll read the back cover copy – and you won’t want to put it down.

Of course, you’ll want to buy the book first… and then start reading, because once you open the book, you won’t want to close it!

I know I didn’t!

And I can hardly wait for the next installment!

I LOVE reading about these spunky women who don’t take any guff from the men around them who think so much of themselves.

Maggie Brendan is an exceptionally talented author who weaves an intriguing story around vibrant characters smack dab in the middle of an intricate setting! And don’t forget about that irresistible friction between our hero and heroine! What romance would be complete without it…

BRAVO Maggie! Another winner!

DON’T MISS this great NEW Texas romance by Maggie Brendan! – Tweet this!

Destitute and alone, she still wants to make her own way and her own money–even if she’s forced into the life of a dance hall girl. Horrified by her circumstances, Rachel’s brother sends a friend–the widely admired cattle baron John McIntyre–to rescue her, then sets off to earn enough money to buy back the family ranch. But when months pass without her brother’s return, Rachel isn’t sure she can take one more day in John McIntyre’s home–especially once she discovers that he’s the one who holds the deed to her family’s ranch.

Sparks fly between this spunky, independent heroine and the ruggedly handsome hero as they navigate the snarled terrain of pride, greed, faith, and love in Maggie Brendan’s delightful series set in the Old West.Maggie Award of Excellence and the 2013 Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award.

I was blessed to receive a review copy of this book.
The opinion stated is my own.

Happy Reading

And

GOD BLESS!

Disclaimer: I have no control over the ads you may see below. I am sorry if any of the content is inappropriate.

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Three months ago, everything changed for Darla Kurtz and her family. Don’t miss A Son’s Vow, book one in Shelley Shepard Gray’s new series, Charmed Amish Life. Set in the quaint Amish village of Charm, Ohio, the series tells the stories of the Kinsinger siblings who are each struggling to find both forgiveness and love in the face of tragedy. As Lukas and Darla attempt to repair their families, they discover something deeper than friendship growing between them. But will Lukas and Darla’s love be accepted after so much loss? Or will the pain of the past overcome any chance of future happiness?

Can you see me happy dancing from there…? Another book… and another series from the amazing Shelley Shepard Gray! YAY! YAY! YAY!

And talk about starting things off with a bang!

A tragic accident…

The blame game…

A somewhat ostracized daughter…

And thrown into the midst of this storm… romance!

And WOW!

Shelley does not disappoint! She brings us an intriguing new series with characters whose pain we will feel deeply.

Don’t miss a single book of this new series. I know I don’t intend to!

{MORE ABOUT A SON’S VOW}

A Son’s Vow (Avon Inspire, January 2016)

Three months ago, everything changed for Darla Kurtz and her family.

Darla’s father was responsible for a terrible fire at Charm’s lumber mill which killed five Amish men. And though he, too, lost his life, the town of Charm hasn’t looked at her family the same since. Even Lukas Kinsinger—with whom Darla used to have a close friendship.

Now her brother’s anger at the town is spilling over onto Darla, and she has the bruises to prove it. The accident already cost five lives, but if something doesn’t change soon, Darla fears it will cost her—and her family—even more.

Lukas Kinsinger wants to mourn the loss of his father, but he can hardly find the time to breathe. Suddenly the head of his father’s lumber mill and responsible for taking care of his three siblings, he’s feeling the pressure. He has also never felt more alone—especially with the new tension between he and Darla. But when he learns of her troubles at home, Lukas knows he can’t simply stand by and watch. Someone has to help her before another tragedy occurs.

As Lukas and Darla attempt to repair their families, they discover something deeper than friendship growing between them. But will Lukas and Darla’s love be accepted after so much loss? Or will the pain of the past overcome any chance of future happiness?

Shelley Shepard Gray’s first book in her Charmed Amish Life series is set in the quaint Amish village of Charm, Ohio, and tells the stories of the Kinsinger siblings who are each struggling to find both forgiveness and love in the face of tragedy.

Enter to win a copy of A Son’s Vow—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced February 11 on Shelley’s blog!

{MORE ABOUT SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY}

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

Nicholas Langdon is no stranger to reserved civility or bloody barbarity. After suffering a battlefield injury, the wealthy, well-connected British officer returns home to heal—and to fulfill a dying soldier’s last wish by delivering his coded diary.

At the home of the Wilherns, one of England’s most powerful families, Langdon attends a lavish ball where he meets their beautiful and intelligent ward, Julia Grey. Determined to maintain propriety, he keeps his distance—until the diary is stolen and all clues lead to Julia’s guardian. As Langdon traces an evil plot that could be the nation’s undoing, he grows ever more intrigued by the lovely young woman.

And when Julia realizes that England—and the man she is falling in love with—need her help, she finds herself caught in the fray. Will the two succumb to their attraction while fighting to save their country?

And you can find more information about A Spy’s Devotionand where to buy the book from these popular sites:

GOD BLESS!

AND

HAPPY READING!

I received an advance copy of the book free in exchange for an honest review.

Disclaimer: I have no control over the ads you may see below.I am sorry if any of the content is inappropriate.

They’ve been best friends for years, but as high school ends, Zane Beck can’t help but look at his Amish neighbor, Lila Lehman, with different eyes. Her controlling father sees only one future for Lila, though, and arranges for her to be courted by an upstanding young Amish man. When Zane sees the two together, his plans for the future crumble, and he impulsively enlists in the Army, following in his father’s footsteps.

However, the passing of years and the distance between them isn’t enough to halt their now hidden feelings for each other. If being together used to be difficult, it’s now impossible, especially with the Amish opposed to war. Zane’s service takes a dramatic turn when he’s sent to Afghanistan. Being on the front line and the reality of taking a life has him questioning whether he can continue to serve or not. But all choices have consequences–both his and hers. With Lila preparing to marry another, will these one-time sweethearts ever find the life together that they both still long for?

GOD BLESS!

AND

HAPPY READING!

I was blessed to receive a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
All opinions are entirely my own.

Disclaimer: I have no control over the ads you may see below.I am sorry if any of the content is inappropriate.

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OK… I have to do this one differently because it just has to lead with Melanie’s opening line:

The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower…

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.

Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.

The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel, in turn, rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to him than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery are about to be revealed after seventeen years. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?

OK… now for my thoughts about this fantastic book.

Am I the only one or did anyone else find themself humming the theme from“Tangled” while reading the blurb for this book?

I know the blurb says “like no other” and that is true, but there are definitely bits of it that are reminiscent of Disney’s long-haired heroine. And – for me – those little tidbits just added to an already fantastic story!

Speaking of similarities… I LOVE… LOVE LOVE LOVE that Melanie makes her characters enamored with books and reading. Not only is it a wonderful addition to each story, it’s so very realistic – especially given that it’s usually her female characters who want to learn or have found a way, even though they really shouldn’t…

Now we just have to wait until May for her next awesome fairy tale retelling. And I’ll tell you a little secret. In February, Melanie is releasing a Regency Intrigue Romance! Exciting!

Riddled with doubt and lingering regrets, will Suzanne and Paul find strength in God to explore a second chance at love?

It wasn’t easy to move back to the Old Order Mennonite community from which quiet, responsible Suzanne Zimmerman was shamefully sent away as a pregnant teen. Returning twenty years later to take care of her mother, Suzanne and Alexa—the daughter she raised as her own—have spent months rebuilding relationships with her family.

Now with the upcoming wedding of their biological daughter, Suzanne and Paul find themselves drawn to one another once again—but with new challenges to face. They have been single parents with painful pasts. Can Paul and Suzanne find the strength to rebuild the loving relationship that was torn apart by their teen pregnancy so long ago?

Suzanne must also let go of Alexa as she heads back to Indianapolis to visit friends–and as her chance to find her birth parents. Leaving the bed-and-breakfast in Suzanne’s apprehensive hands, Alexa embarks on a journey that will certainly change her life completely. Can mother and daughter trust God to restore all things in His timing?

You can find more information and/or buy the book from these popular sites.

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OK… just look at the cover and tell me you don’t want to read this book!

You can’t… can you?

I knew it!

I have been anxiously awaiting this one! Chomping at the bit actually!

Since you just read my review for Kelly Irvin’s latest in the Amish of Bee County – I’m going to start there!

A Christmas Visitor by Kelly Irvin

And – OH the irony… NEVERMIND! Forget I said that! There’s absolutely nothing ironic about that.

On to the story.

As with the story in The Bishop’s Son, our heroine has some tough decisions ahead of her. And like most Amish stories, her well-meaning family are doing everything they can to be “supportive”.

And by supportive, I mean they want to make sure Frannie understands just how important it is that she make the “right” decision.

Reading about the blazing heat of Texas might not be what you have in mind for a Christmas book but it’s well worth the read! And it just might help warm you up on those crazy cold nights… unless you live in Texas that is.

Naomi’s Gift by Amy Clipston

I can’t help feeling a bit of a kinship with Naomi – unlucky in love… picking the wrong guy… twice… feeling like all hope is lost…

Granted, I’m not 24 anymore and I have two children of my own already, but there are so many little things about Naomi and her lot in life that remind me of myself.

I think a lot of readers will find the same true of themselves. We all have to deal with disappointments and disaster where love is concerned.

And now I have to apologize to Kelly and Any because, once again, Ruth has stolen the show!

An Unexpected Joy by Ruth Reid is THE BEST story in the book (in my humble opinion).

WOW!

WOW! WOW! WOW!

I picked up the story and COULD NOT put it down! Gabby Abby and Micah butt heads and rub each other the wrong way constantly.

Like the other two novellas, Abigail is certain she’s not destined for love or marriage. She has an idea that she can gain some independence at least and make some sort of happiness for herself with her own horse.

Like every other guy in the district, Micah has no patience for Abigail’s “gift of gab” but soon he – NO! I’m not going to tell you. Just trust me. Read it!

You’ll LOVE THEM ALL!

Yes! I whipped out the candy canes already! Can you think of anything else to rate these GREAT stories with…

More from Thomas Nelson about An Amish Christmas Gift:

Naomi’s Gift by Amy Clipston

Naomi has started to think that she isn’t meant to find love, but she might receive more than she ever hoped for this Christmas.

Twenty-four-year-old Naomi King, who has been burned twice by love, has all but given up on marriage and children. As Christmas approaches a time of family, faith, and hope for many others Naomi is more certain than ever her life will be spent as an old maid, helping with the family s quilting business and taking care of her eight siblings. Then she meets Caleb, a young widower with a 7-year-old daughter, and her world is once again turned upside-down.

An Unexpected Joy by Ruth Reid

Abigail has driven other suitors away, but can Micah find a way to show her he cares?

Abigail Kemp has managed to frighten off every bu who’s ever driven her home from a singing. Sure she will live to be an old maid, Abigail starts saving her money to buy a horse so she can at least have some independence.

Micah Zook is looking for a caregiver for his grandmother, and Abigail needs a new job. He never expected that Abigail would talk so much . . . or that his grandmother would keep finding ways to set the two of them up.

Despite Abigail’s constant chatter, she and Micah become friends until Micah makes a decision that leaves Abigail feeling betrayed. With Christmas in their midst, can Micah find a way to reconcile with Abigail and to reveal what’s on his heart?

A Christmas Visitor by Kelly Irvin

Frannie Mast returns to Bee County for Christmas, but her heart stays back in Missouri with an Englisch farm boy.

Frannie knows her parents have the best of intentions when they send her back to Bee County, Texas, to live with her aunt Abigail and her husband Mordecai. After all, she knows nothing can come of a relationship with Rocky, the handsome but Englisch farmer boy back in Missouri. It’s best to put those feelings aside, no matter how hard it is. But all bets are off when Rocky follows Frannie to Texas to plead his case. Could he be the Christmas gift to end all gifts?”

You can find more information and/or buy the book from these popular sites.

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I was almost a very unhappy lady this past week. UPS sent me a notification that my package was on the way. I waited all day for it to arrive. Nothing…

Then I got a message that it had been rescheduled.

I had to wait two more days to get my hands on this book, but it was worth EVERY second.

Another triumph for Kelly Irvin!

Kelly certainly doesn’t write easy, sweet, cutesie stories. Her plots are intense, her characters are deep, and her solutions are never quite what you’re expecting.

Make of that what you will – I’m not spoiling the book for you!

Don’t try to make me!

Have you ever been in a situation where you see your life going in to different directions? Bother paths have appealing aspects and both have struggles you’d rather not face. Which do you choose? HOW do you choose?

How will Leila choose? Well, to find out – you have to read the book. And I think you’ll LOVE it! But then I’m somewhat biased because I LOVE IT!

Two men offer Leila two very different futures. Will she choose with her heart or with her faith?

Leila Lantz has been in love with Jesse Glick from the day she first saw him at his father’s store, but she can’t make sense of his intentions. One day he wants to come courting, the next he seems to be putting distance between them.

Jesse may be the bishop’s son, but his faith has been wavering of late. If he is so unsure, is it fair to give Leila false hope for a future he doubts he can provide?

Then there’s Will, Jesse’s cousin. He has been trying to keep his feelings for Leila a secret, but he also knows Jesse is wrestling with his faith. Would declaring his feelings for Leila be in her best interest or simply serving his own selfish desires?

Leila knows she can choose Will and be secure in her own future. But when her heart speaks, it’s Jesse’s name she hears. When will God make His will known to her?

Could leaving everything she knows—even her own faith—be a part of God’s plan?

You can find more information and/or buy the book from these popular sites.

She never wanted to marry. He hopes to make amends for past wrongs. Can love find a way to heal both of their hearts?

Sadie Schrock swore she would never marry. All of her other Amish friends could court and marry—she was content to manage the family business and eventually take it over when her parents are ready to retire. But all of that changes when a reckless driver kills both of her parents and seriously injures her younger sister. With mounting hospital bills adding to the pile of debt her parents left behind, Sadie is left with no choice: she must marry. And not just any man—the man who saw her at her weakest and walked away.

Aden knows what his brother did to Sadie years ago was inexcusable. And every day since that incident, Aden has lived with the guilt for not intervening sooner. When he is faced with the chance to protect Sadie once again, he can’t let her down—even if it means living with the scorn of the woman he loves for the rest of his life.

Working alongside Aden at the store, Sadie realizes he isn’t the same boy who once betrayed her. Just when Sadie starts to let her guard down and perhaps develop feelings for her new husband, dangerous secrets are revealed. Now everything Sadie has worked so hard to protect is threatened, and she must find a way to save her family—and herself.

And you can find more information about A Faith of Her Ownand where to buy the book from these popular sites.

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Another triumph from Sarah Sundin!

Not that I’m surprised… not even a little. I have high expectations every time I pick up a book by Sarah – and I’ve not yet been disappointed!

WOW! WOW! WOW!

Through Waters Deep is getting rave reviews… and it’s no wonder.

Aside from the fact that the story starts off with… well, not with a bang, but almost… the added mystery aspect is a clear winner!

I know I love it!

It’s like Nancy Drew has stepped into history!

Sarah skillfully shows us the tension that existed on this side of the Atlantic during WWII. Jim and Mary are in a unique situation and with tensions rising abroad, many might have forgotten about the stress WWII put on the people at home.

Sarah expertly takes us through espionage and sabotage… a very personal war right here on U.S. soil, using our main characters Mary and Jim.

Jim is a seemingly average handsome young officer – but there are depths to him that Mary has a talent for bringing to the surface. It doesn’t hurt either that Mary has a clever wit and a sharp mind. She may be a bit of a shrinking violet but when push comes to shove, she definitely does the unexpected!

The romantic portion of the story is very well done too.

I won’t spoil it for you but it’s not your typical guy sees girl, guy is attracted, girl is attracted, romance ensues… but then Sarah’s romances never fit neatly into a mold – which I LOVE! Life doesn’t fit into a mold so it’s much more realistic that way!

It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USSAtwood.

Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge.

When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion.

With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges–and dangers–await them.

Sarah Sundin takes readers to the tense months before the US entered WWII. Readers will encounter German U-boats and torpedoes, along with the explosive power of true love, in this hopeful and romantic story.

You can find more information and/or buy the book from these popular sites.

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Among the Fair Magnoliasis the newest collaboration from Thomas Nelson and it is FANTASTIC!

Shelley Gray gets together with Tamera Alexander, Dorothy Love and Elizabeth Musser to bring us four wonderful Love stories – each with a touch of mystery!

To Mend a Dreamby Tamera Alexander is your typical “orphans out on their own, lost their family home, desperate to make a better life for themselves” story. Except it ins’t typical AT ALL! Tamera Alexander hooks you with the first sentence and doesn’t let go until the very last one!

An Outlaw’s Heart by Shelley Gray is a romance with more than one twist. Shelley uses her exceptional talent for romance and combines it with her flair for suspense to intrigue her readers!

A Heart So True by Dorothy Love is a story of the age old problem; Do I follow my heart or my family’s wishes? I refuse to spoil it for you – it’s JUST TOO GOOD!

Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser involves a favorite storyline of mine! It’s always a struggle to try and decide whether you should take a chance on love, but when you have the added impossibility of forbidden love, it’s a journey that you DO NOT want to miss!

And here is a bit more about the book from Thomas Nelson:

During the most turbulent decade of our nation’s history, four Southern women—their destinies forged by birth and heritage—face nearly impossible choices on their journeys in life . . . and in love.

To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander

Savannah Darby would do almost anything to revisit her family home.

So when the new owner Aidan Bedford seeks to redecorate the house for his fiancée, Savannah jumps at the opportunity. But can she find the box her father supposedly hid there during the war before her assignment is completed? And before she sees yet another battle lost on the home front—this time, a battle of the heart.

An Outlaw’s Heart by Shelley Gray

Seven years ago Russell Champion was betrayed by the two most important women in his life. Now Russell returns home, but is it too late to make amends with his mother and find closure with his true love?

A Heart So True by Dorothy Love

Abigail Clayton hopes to reconcile with Dr. Wade Bennett and become his wife. But her father insists she marry her distant cousin Charles Kittridge so the plantations of the two families will be joined. With her wedding looming, Abby must choose between duty to her family and the yearnings of her own heart.

Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser

Emily Derracott loves her childhood friend Thomas McGinnis, but she cannot marry a man who doesn’t share her strong convictions about the freedmen. Besides, she harbors a secret love for someone else. But the prospect of becoming his wife is not only improbable—it is completely impossible.

Includes Recipes and Discussion Questions

You can find even more at the links below – including how to purchase your own copy!

“You CAN write 50,000 words in 30 Days” takes us behind the scenes of one author’s journey through National novel writing month (also known as NaNoWriMo)

Every year, people from all over the world log in to their NaNoWriMo profile, find a local group to hang out with all month, stock up on snacks, sharpen their pencils, get their playlists ready, and write!

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I can’t think of any two people less suited for each other than loner Matt Tucker and animal lover Shannon Wilde…

…but Mary Connealy takes the challenge in stride and tackles Now and Forever with gusto!

In the second installment of the Wild at Heart series, Mary Connealy focuses on the middle sister in the Wilde family and her unexpected collision with wild back country man Matt Tucker.

You will never see the romance coming, even though you pretty much know it’s inevitable.

And once love takes hold… watch out!

Bears… Sheep… Raging rivers… and Romance… OH MY!

Don’t miss this tumultuous adventure!

And watch for book #3… coming soon!

Here is a brief synopsis from Bethany House

Saddle up for romance and adventure with the Wilde sisters!

Shannon Wilde is the middle sister–and the one who loves animals. She’s established her own homestead and is raising sheep for their wool. Things are going fine…until Shannon gets swept over a cliff by Matthew Tucker!

Tucker seizes every opportunity to get away from civilization, but one particular walk in the woods ends with him sprinting away from an angry grizzly and plunging into a raging river, accidentally taking Shannon Wilde with him. Their adventure in the wilderness results in the solitary mountain man finding himself hitched to a young woman with a passel of relatives, a homestead, and a flock of sheep to care for.

As Tucker and Shannon learn to live with each other, strange things begin to happen on Shannon’s land. Someone clearly wants to drive her off, but whoever it is apparently didn’t count on Tucker. Trying to scare Matthew Tucker just makes him mad–and trying to hurt the woman he’s falling in love with sets off something even he never expected.

In the meantime, you can click the links below to find more info on this last book:

Life has taken much from Linda Zook. Now she dares to hope for a chance at love and a new beginning.

Linda Zook, 32, works part-time at the Lancaster Grand Hotel. As the sole survivor of a buggy accident that left her orphaned at age four, she was raised by her unwilling Uncle Reuben. Linda longs to be worthy of someone, but the life-long effects of her injuries and her upbringing under the care of her embittered uncle have destroyed her self-worth.

Aaron Ebersol, 32, left the Amish community 17 years ago when he could no longer bear the restrictions or the constant tension with his father. He d written too many unanswered letters to his mother and found himself incapable of putting down any roots in his new home in Missouri. Success in work could not replace the family that denied Aaron, even after all of these years.

Aaron hastily returns to the Amish community of Paradise, PA, after receiving word of his mother’s stroke. Hesitant to get too close to the family he was once a part of, he decides to stay at the Heart of Paradise Bed & Breakfast. He soon encounters Linda, working there part-time, and they begin to develop a friendship.

Aaron’s return allows him to reconnect with his family as he jumps into home improvement projects, hoping to make his parents house more accessible to his handicapped mother. But before long, he is enraged to learn that his brother, Solomon, had hidden all of Aaron’s letters to their mother.

Linda and Aaron must each learn to forgive the family members who have deceived and forsaken them. And Aaron must also show Linda that she is worthy of his love.

Beverly Lewis have written another amazing book – one that I will read and re-read for years to come.

Beverly Lewis has an amazing talent for tackling tough subjects.

She tells us a phenomenal story about something that is very much an every-day type occurrence – but she does it in such a way that takes that ordinary story to the extraordinary.

What begins as a favor to her parents, turns into something else entirely when Marlena must care for her sister’s child while she is in the hospital.

All the little twists and turns and inside-outs you would never expect from what sounds simple at the start, are what make Beverly Lewis such a masterful storyteller!

READ IT! You won’t be sorry!

What Baker Publishing has to say about “Love Letters”

Marlena needed time to let things sink in. It was beyond her how all this could possibly work out–adding the care of an infant to her daily routine. Fortunately, it would just be until Luella returned home from the hospital and was stronger.

No more than a couple weeks, surely…

Marlena Wenger’s life takes an unexpected turn on the day she learns she must care for her estranged sister’s baby. Spending the summer in Brownstown, Pennsylvania, to assist her Mennonite grandmother, and miles from Marlena’s Old Order Amish beau, she feels out of her element in nearly every respect. Yet Marlena determines to do her best and stay focused on her future, even as those hopes become drastically altered.

You can find more information and/or buy the book from these popular sites.

At the wood’s edge cultures collide. Can two families survive the impact?

The 1757 New York frontier is home to the Oneida tribe and to British colonists, yet their feet rarely walk the same paths.

On the day Fort William Henry falls, Major Reginald Aubrey is beside himself with grief. His son, born that day, has died in the arms of his sleeping wife. When Reginald comes across an Oneida mother with newborn twins, one white, one brown, he makes a choice that will haunt the lives of all involved. He steals the white baby and leaves his own child behind. Reginald’s wife and foundling daughter, Anna, never suspect the truth about the boy they call William, but Reginald is wracked by regret that only intensifies with time, as his secret spreads its devastating ripples.

When the long buried truth comes to light, can an unlikely friendship forged at the wood’s edge provide a way forward? For a father tormented by fear of judgment, another by lust for vengeance. For a mother still grieving her lost child. For a brother who feels his twin’s absence, another unaware of his twin’s existence. And for Anna, who loves them both—Two Hawks, the mysterious Oneida boy she meets in secret, and William, her brother. As paths long divided collide, how will God direct the feet of those who follow Him?

In the meantime, you can click the links below to find more info on this last book:

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Up to now, the only books of hers that I have read and reviewed have been short novellas inside collaborations/ novella collections and they simply did not prepare me for the awesomeness of her writing!

WOW!

And I mean WOW!

I refuse to spoil this book for you but I will tell you that A Faith of Her Own is most unlike any other story of it’s kind that I have read.

Most authors who write about a young person potentially leaving the Amish community write from the perspective that it would simply be the end of the world… or from the perspective that they really have no other options.

Kathleen Fuller doesn’t do that. She comes at the situation from so many angles, it has a ring of truth to it that is almost shocking.

This is a book that ANYONE who enjoys Amish fiction should DEFINITELY read!

And I really really hope the “A Middlefield Amish Novel” means there will be sequels to come! There are SO many characters I am dying to know more about… not just the two main ones – and that may not be different from other books of it’s kind but it is really exciting!

When Jeremiah left his Amish community to pursue his dream of becoming a veterinarian, he left more than just his faith behind—he walked away from his family and his childhood friend, Anna Mae. Now that he’s returned to help out his mentor and work in a Yankee veterinarian practice, Jeremiah must face his past—and the people he betrayed.

Anna Mae had finally put the loss of Jeremiah and the broken vow between them behind her. Even though she supported her best friend’s pursuit of his dream, she never let on how his departure left her questioning her own place in the Amish world. With his return, new questions arise, along with feelings she’d never fully acknowledged before.

As their rekindled friendship begins to turn into something more, Jeremiah and Anna Mae must examine their own faith and their relationship with each other and their families. With both of them torn between loyalty to their loved ones and being pulled in different directions, they must decide whether to heed God’s call, even if it means being apart forever.

And you can find more information about A Faith of Her Ownand where to buy the book from these popular sites.

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Well, I’ll say this…Jody Hedlund excels at starting things off with a bang!

Let me say this also – if you are at all squeamish, have a weak stomach or a sensitive nature, you might want to rethink this read.

I can hardly believe it’s classified as young adult because the opening chapter alone is certainly not what I would present to a young audience.

But then, Jody has 10+ books under her belt so she may know more about it than me – so don’t just take my word for it.

Despite being too much for my tender Mercy’s heart, the book is incredibly well-written. In fact, it was all I could do to put it down… even when I was more than a little bothered by the content.

And possibly young adults today are more mature than I am giving them credit for and are perfectly able to handle such things but I know I am not and I’m 35.

Of course I discovered that when I tried to read about WWII…

Certain authors understand the squeamishness of their audience and write in such a way to show the horrors of real life without making it quite so descriptive.

This is not the first story of Jody Hedlund’s I have read and it certainly won’t be the last. I am nearly obsessed with her new lighthouse series and I look forward to each and every one so she has not lost me as a reader… just maybe not of her medievel series.

By the way, I’m giving the book 3 stars because – even though it’s not for me – it is exceptionally well-written. It would have been 4 but I’m still not certain this particular story is suitable for young adults and I hope the 3 stars will catch more attention and perhaps more readers will see my warning.

Due to her parents’ promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie has been prepared to become a nun on the day she turns eighteen. Then, a month before her birthday, a friend of her father’s enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents’ will left a second choice. If Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year, she will be exempt from the ancient vow.

Before long, Rosemarie is presented with the three most handsome and brave knights in the land. But when the competition for her heart seemingly results in a knight playing foul, she begins to wonder if the cloister is the best place after all. If only one of the knights the one who appears the most guilty had not already captured her heart.

Jody Hedlund is a best-selling and award-winning author who loves fairy- tales and happily-ever-afters. She makes her home in Midland, MI with her husband and five children. When she’s not writing another of her page-turning stories, you can usually find her sipping coffee, eating chocolate, and reading.

You can also find more information and/or buy the book from these popular sites:

Anyone who watched the wonderful movie Hallmark put out a few years ago knows that – while it was supposed to be based on her first book in the Canadian West series – it was done a bit differently.

I’ll admit that it’s an intriguing idea – but true fans of Janette Oke’s work were more than a little surprised… or at least I was.

Then Janette and her daughter Laurel decided to write a novel about the adventures of the character from Hallmark’s movie – and IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER!

It bore certain resemblances to the film but, true to Janette’s staggering talent, it was SO MUCH BETTER!

Where Trust Lies is no different in that way!

Janette Oke is a tremendous writer and it’s clear her daughter has inherited that talent as well!

Since I don’t watch the series (we haven’t had cable for several years) I know nothing about whether or not this story lines up with what is going on but Bethany House proclaims it as a companion to the series so there must be some similar events going on there.

I refuse to give anything away but I have to commend Janette on her ability to write such emotional scenes. Who will Beth choose… What will Beth choose? Even in an age where trains cross so much more of the country, there is much that remains untamed and wild.

You will agonize right along with Beth as she tries to decide between her family and her students and friend back West – not to mention a certain Mountie who has stolen her heart…

East or West… Love or Family… Obligation or Duty… What will Beth choose? – Tweet this!

Will the comfortable & privileged East win out over the wild & wonderful West? – Tweet this!

{MORE ABOUT WHERE TRUST LIES}

She loves her friends and students in the West, but family obligations have called her home. Where does she truly belong?

After a year of teaching in the Canadian West, Beth Thatcher returns home to her family. She barely has time to settle in before her mother announces plans for a family holiday–a luxurious steamship tour along the eastern coast of Canada and the United States. Hoping to reconnect with her mother and her sisters, Beth agrees to join them, but she quickly realizes that things have changed since she went away, and renewing their close bond is going to be more challenging than she expected.

There’s one special thing to look forward to–letters and telephone calls from Jarrick, the Mountie who has stolen her heart. The distance between them is almost too much to bear. But can she give her heart to Jarrick when it will mean saying good-bye to her family once again–and possibly forever? And will she still want to live in the western wilds after the steamship tour opens up a world of people and places she never imagined?

Then comes a great test of Beth’s faith. Someone in her family has trusted the wrong person, and suddenly everything Beth knows and loves is toppled. Torn between her family and her dreams, will Beth finally discover where her heart truly belongs?A companion story to Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart TV series!

I would also encourage you to read the books in the original Canadian West series! Bethany House has bundled them in eBook format: